Subject
Impostors and imposture -- Fiction Books
Best books
Mark Twain
The Prince and the Pauper
"The Prince and the Pauper" by Mark Twain is a novel first published in 1881. Two identical boys—Prince Edward Tudor and pauper Tom Canty—meet by chance and swap clothes, only to find themselves trapped in each other's lives. As Edward experiences the brutal reality of poverty and injustice firsthand, Tom struggles to maintain the royal charade. This tale of mistaken identity explores class inequality and the harsh English judicial system, while both boys discover what it truly means to walk in another's shoes.
Frank Belknap Long
Space Station 1
"Space Station 1" by Frank Belknap Long is a science fiction novel written in the late 1950s. The story follows Lieutenant David Corriston, who, upon visiting an enormous space station, becomes embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy involving kidnappings, murder, and a hidden enemy. As he grapples with these threats, his determination to uncover the truth could determine not just his fate, but that of Earth itself. At the start of the narrative, the atmosphere onboard the space station is infused with wonder but quickly turns to terror. Corriston finds himself in a life-threatening struggle with a mysterious assailant just after expressing his awe for the station's grandeur. As he wrestles for survival in the dark, his mind races with thoughts of Helen Ramsey, the daughter of a powerful figure, who has vanished amid the chaos. The opening segment sets up an intense plot filled with suspense as Corriston fights against time and unseen threats to find her, hinting at deeper intrigues that might endanger them both.
Mark Twain
The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson
"The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson" by Mark Twain is a novel published in 1894. Set in a Mississippi River town, it tells the story of two infants—one born into slavery with 1/32 black ancestry, the other white and free—who are secretly switched in their cradles. Each boy grows into the other's social role, setting the stage for a murder mystery that exposes the arbitrary nature of racial categories and the moral corruption beneath small-town respectability.
Anthony Hope
The prisoner of Zenda
"The Prisoner of Zenda" by Anthony Hope is an adventure novel published in 1894. When the King of Ruritania is drugged before his coronation, an English tourist who happens to be his lookalike is persuaded to impersonate him. What begins as a temporary political solution becomes dangerous when the king is kidnapped. The Englishman must maintain his royal disguise while navigating palace intrigue, assassination attempts, and forbidden love with Princess Flavia—all while trying to rescue the real king from his captors.
P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
Leave it to Psmith
"Leave It to Psmith" by P. G. Wodehouse is a comic novel published in 1923. When the elegant Ronald Psmith takes on an unusual job involving a stolen necklace at Blandings Castle, he finds himself impersonating a Canadian poet while juggling scheming aristocrats, genuine criminals, and his growing affection for the lovely Eve Halliday. With mistaken identities, midnight mishaps, and a suspicious secretary in lemon-colored pajamas, chaos ensues in this tale of romance and comic confusion.
Thomas Hardy
The Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in Chapters
"The Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in Chapters" by Thomas Hardy is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story revolves around Ethelberta, a young widow of complex background and cleverness, who seeks to navigate societal expectations and her own aspirations while dealing with her past love and current relationships. The book promises a mix of social commentary and character-driven humor. The opening of the novel introduces us to Ethelberta as she steps out of the Red Lion Inn in a Wessex town, showcasing her charm and the attention she garners from local men, despite being a widow. The narrative hints at her intriguing history, including her rise from a governess to marrying into a nobler family, and her complex relationship with her mother-in-law. As Ethelberta enjoys a walk, she encounters various local characters who speculate about her past and current circumstance, establishing her as a figure of curiosity. The beginning sets the stage for her re-encounter with Christopher Julian, an old acquaintance, hinting at unresolved past feelings and the complexities that surround her life as she balances between her past and the challenges of her present.
Anthony Hope
Rupert of Hentzau: From The Memoirs of Fritz Von Tarlenheim Sequel to The Prisoner of Zenda
"Rupert of Hentzau: From The Memoirs of Fritz Von Tarlenheim" by Anthony Hope is a novel written in 1895 and published in 1898. Three years after the events of "The Prisoner of Zenda," Queen Flavia's love letter to Rudolf Rassendyll falls into the hands of the exiled villain Rupert of Hentzau. When Rassendyll returns to Ruritania to protect the Queen, he's forced once again to impersonate the King after a deadly encounter. Epic duels, royal deception, and impossible choices follow in this tale of love, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Edgar Rice Burroughs
The Mad King
"The Mad King" by Edgar Rice Burroughs is a Ruritanian romance originally published in 1914-1915. Young American Barney Custer travels to the fictional European kingdom of Lutha, unaware he's the exact double of the newly escaped King Leopold. Mistaken for royalty, Barney becomes entangled in royal intrigue, falls for the king's promised bride Princess Emma, and must impersonate the monarch to save the throne from a scheming prince. Set against the outbreak of World War I, this adventure follows Barney through diplomatic danger, narrow escapes, and battles that will determine Lutha's fate.
Mark Twain
The Prince and the Pauper, Part 1.
"The Prince and the Pauper, Part 1." by Mark Twain is a novel first published in 1881. Two boys born on the same day—Edward Tudor, Prince of Wales, and Tom Canty, a London street urchin—discover their uncanny resemblance and swap clothes for an adventure. But when Edward is cast from the palace and Tom must navigate royal life, both experience worlds beyond imagination. As Edward witnesses England's brutal inequality firsthand, he vows to rule with mercy if he can reclaim his throne.
George Eliot
Brother Jacob
"Brother Jacob" by George Eliot is a novella written during the Victorian era, likely in the mid-to-late 19th century. This story captures the life of David Faux, a confectioner whose ambition drives him to leave his family and seek fortune in the West Indies, only to return with little more than a sense of disillusionment. The narrative explores themes of ambition, family dynamics, and social status, particularly the unexpected twists of fate that shape David's character and circumstances. The tale follows David Faux, who initially dreams of finding success in the confectionery business but ends up stealing his mother’s savings to fund his emigration. Despite his high hopes of becoming prominent in a foreign land, he instead finds himself disillusioned with the realities of life in the West Indies, ultimately returning home to a life he had tried to escape. Upon his return, he assumes the name Edward Freely, hoping to start anew in the town of Grimworth. However, his past catches up with him in the form of his brother Jacob, an idiot who complicates David's plans and becomes an impediment to his social aspirations. The story unfolds with a rich examination of societal expectations, family loyalty, and the nature of success, culminating in David's failure to attain the life he longed for, thus highlighting the intricate ways in which life can thwart one's ambitions.
Wilkie Collins
The New Magdalen
"The New Magdalen" by Wilkie Collins is a novel written in the late 19th century, during a period marked by dramatic social changes and evolving gender roles. The narrative centers around complex themes of identity, redemption, and social stigma, focusing particularly on the lives of two women, Mercy Merrick and Grace Roseberry, as they navigate their precarious situations against the backdrop of war-torn Europe. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to a dark and stormy night in France, during the Franco-Prussian War. Captain Arnault and his men are tending to the wounded in a cottage after a skirmish when I encounter the two women: Mercy, a nurse with a troubled past, and Grace, a young lady seeking refuge after being robbed. The dynamics between these characters quickly unfold, as Grace expresses gratitude towards Mercy for her kindness, while Mercy's backstory hints at undisclosed pain and stigma that complicate their connection. The opening chapter sets a tense atmosphere, suggesting themes of class struggle and identity, culminating in Mercy's difficult choice to assume Grace’s identity after a tragic turn of events.
William Dean Howells
The Leatherwood God
"The Leatherwood God" by William Dean Howells is a novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative unfolds in the early 1800s in a rural settlement where the arrival of a mysterious figure known as the Leatherwood God sparks a fervent religious revival. The story delves into the lives of the local settlers, notably focusing on characters like Matthew Braile and the enigmatic Dylks, who emerges as a charismatic preacher and captivates the community with his claims of divine authority. At the start of the novel, the peaceful setting of Leatherwood Creek is introduced, along with its inhabitants and their simple lives centered around agriculture and spirituality. The story reveals a village shaped by religious fervor yet marked by varying beliefs and inner conflicts. The opening chapters depict a series of conversations between the local characters, such as the skeptical Matthew Braile and the enthusiastic Abel Reverdy, as they discuss the recent camp meeting where Dylks made a striking impression. Dylks's sudden appearance, along with his strange behaviors—including a loud snort that captivates the attendees—sets the stage for a brewing storm of devotion and doubt within the community. The solid foundation of their beliefs begins to tremble as his influence spreads, hinting at the internal and external conflicts that will arise as the narrative progresses.
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